Tata may be trying hard to erase the reminiscent pictures of the unsavoury Singur incident but a mixed-land use project in Punjab threatens to unwrap the old wounds.
Tata Housing Development Company’s (THDC’s) residential and commercial project ‘Camelot’ coming up in Kansal village of Punjab on the periphery of Chandigarh has raised a dust storm.
To be built in the vicinity of Capitol Complex (spread from Rajindra Park to Sukhna Lake), the project, besides offering a veiled view of the Shivalik hills from Chandigarh, could pose environmental concerns and is viewed as a threat to the heritage status of Chandigarh.
The project, spread over 50 acres, would be a mixed-use residential, retail and commercial, construction encompassing 19 multi tower storeys. The vertical expansion of the project in the vicinity of Chandigarh could impede the view of the Shivalik hills, at the base of which Chandigarh is located.
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed last week by Alok Jagga in the Punjab and Haryana High Court states the project could endanger the basic characters of the city, threatening to deprive the city of its original character. The high-rise buildings are alleged to being built violating the New Capital (Periphery) Control Act, 1952.
Even as the hearing for the PIL has been deferred to January, the litigants are maintaining if the project is allowed to develop according to the original plan, it could jeopardize the plan of awarding Chandigarh with the heritage status.
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Ajay Jagga, president, Local Unit Janta Party, whose nephew has filed the PIL, contended Chandigarh had applied to UNESCO seeking World Heritage Status and authenticity and integrity remained two essential parameters on which the city had to be evaluated.
Any fracas observed in the vicinity can alter the city’s characters thereby posing a threat to the much valued status that the city is seeking.
Senior officials requesting anonymity from the Department of Urban Planning, UT administration also maintained the project besides being a threat to wildlife in the Sukhna catchment area would also tamper with the city’s intrinsic character.
The city and its roads, especially the north-south roads, are carved in such a way that residents could have unhindered view of the Shivalik hills but the high rise construction threatens to put a veil. Even while constructing the buildings in Capitol Park it was consciously decided the buildings would be constructed in such a way that they are constructed perpendicular to the hills, so that the view is maintained.
According to the UT architect department, besides the high construction, the project also calls for environmental concern since with development of the project the wildlife sanctuary and green hills will have to bear the brunt.
Project Camelot besides being in news for environmental concern has also raised storm for many legislators likely to benefit from the project.
THDC for this project spread over 53 acres had purchased land from MLA Housing Society (22 acres) and Defence Service Society (31 acres), four years back.
According to the project plan the company would build 2,100 flats in 19 multi-storeyed towers. Of these, 1,734 flats will be sold to the public. For the legislators, three separate towers with 2,250 sq-ft flats would be constructed.
When contacted, the company spokesman reiterated, Tata Housing had always been a responsible developer. “The company follows a strict code to ensure the laws of the land. are followed for any development. Tata Housing has also pioneered the concept of Sustainable Integrated Green Township Developments. “Our proposed project in Kansal, Punjab, complies with all rules and regulations. It will reflect our underlying philosophies in terms of design excellence and environmental sustainability.”
Regarding the PIL, the spokesman said: “We respect the authority of the judiciary and any premature statement in this regard will not be appropriate at this stage.”